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Let's talk about the Library (survey)!

03/11/2019

Kristen Smith

You can count on us to be here to help you, but now we need your help!

Complete a library survey, and let us know thoughts. When you’re finished, claim your screen cleaner at the
Library Services Desk!

Never have a dirty screen again.

The screen cleaner works great
on your phone or laptop.

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Color the Library!

03/07/2019

Kristen Smith

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We'll have a different kind of treat at this week's Thursdays at the Library. We will be giving away copies of our newly created Loras College Library Coloring Book!

Adult colorists will enjoy images of Dewey, campus views, and thought-provoking drawings from Special Collections. Those old kings were snappy dressers! Take some time from 9:00-11:00 am today for a cup of hot chocolate, a sweet treat, and some creative relaxation.

If you miss the coffee today but still want a library coloring book, ask for one at the library services desk!

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Black History Month 2025

The 2025 Black History Month theme, “African Americans and Labor,” highlights the transformative role of Black labor throughout US history. From the forced agricultural labor of enslaved Africans later to work in mining, manufacturing, domestic service, small businesses, skilled trades, and professional roles, African Americans have continually shaped the nation’s economy and culture. This work has often taken place in the face of oppressive structures and opposition. Nevertheless, even as they faced discrimination, the push for economic justice was constant. Black professionals and laborers alike fought for fair wages, better working conditions, and labor rights.One of the most significant milestones in Black labor history was the establishment of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids in 1925 by A. Philip Randolph. This was the first Black-led labor union to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor, marking a key victory in the fight for workers' rights. Years later, the civil rights movement would build on the connection between labor and social justice, with figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. advocating for economic justice as part of the broader struggle for racial equality. King’s Poor People’s Campaign in 1967 called for better wages, economic opportunities, and fair labor practices, emphasizing that the fight for Black liberation could not be separated from labor rights. In fact, at the time of his assassination, King was in Memphis supporting the strike of black sanitation workers. It was not only black men who advocated for workers' rights. Black women too have been at the forefront of labor movements, promoting for economic justice while challenging both racial and gender discrimination. Rosina Corrothers Tucker helped establish the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and Maids. Nannie Helen Burroughs, a suffragist, began a labor union for Black domestic workers in 1921 as she integrated labor reform and voting rights. Following in her footsteps, Dora Lee Jones helped found the Domestic Workers Union in Harlem in 1934 and later Dorothy Bolden founded the National Domestic Workers Union in 1968. Maida Springer Kemp was the first African American woman to advocate for workers’ rights internationally beginning in 1945 and continuing throughout her life. There are countless other African American leaders whose efforts have reshaped industries, influenced national policies, and empowered generations of Black workers. Honoring this history not only acknowledges past contributions but also serves as an inspiration for current and future generations to continue the pursuit of economic justice and equity for all. To learn more about African Americans and Labor please check out the book display on the main floor of the library. ...

International Holocaust Remembrance Day 2025

International Holocaust Remembrance Day is observed annually on 27 January, on the anniversary the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated by the Soviet army in 1945. This day honors the memory of the six million Jewish people and the millions of other minorities (e.g., the disabled, Sinti-Roma, Slavs, gay men, Free Masons, and Jehovah Witnesses) who were systematically murdered during the Holocaust. The day was established by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 60/7 in 2004. The intention was to not only remember the victims but affirm the reality of the Holocaust so that it might “forever be a warning to all people of the dangers of hatred, bigotry, racism and prejudice.” All Member States were urged to develop educational programs to “inculcate future generations with the lessons of the Holocaust in order to help to prevent future acts of genocide.”Perhaps there is no better way to learn these lessons than by reading and listening to the testimonies of Holocaust victims and survivors, to let these people speak for themselves. These accounts bear witness to this history in a deeply personal way. They enable us to hear individual’s voices and consider their life experiences within the context of genocide. The statistics of the Holocaust are staggering, but it is essential that the individuals these numbers represent not be forgotten. Their stories reveal the horrors of the concentration camps and ghettos. In many of them, particularly in those who survived, we also see glimpses of hope and humanity amid despair – the strength and resilience of those who rebuilt their lives. On the main floor of the Library you can find a display of first-person account of victims and survivors of the Holocaust. These include memoirs, diaries, and transcripts of oral histories. Also consider listening to the voices of survivors tell their story. The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Jeff and Toby Herr Oral History Archive is one of the largest and most diverse collections of Holocaust testimonies in the world. By listening to their stories we honor their legacy. These accounts call us to commit to ensuring future generations never forget and to work toward a world where such atrocities will never happen again....

MLK Day 2025

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is widely celebrated for his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. His commitment to equality, however, extended beyond simply race; it was a radical vision of interconnectedness and mutuality among all people. This broad perspective is evident in his 1961 commencement speech at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, where he focused on the foundational ideals of the United States stated in the Declaration of Independence that “all men are created equal” and “that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” For King this was the American dream, and it had yet to be realized.King argued that the only way to make this dream a reality was to develop a “world perspective,” reject the false doctrine of white supremacy, and embrace non-violence. Humanity must recognized their shared destiny and interconnectedness. There must be a collective commitment to creating a world of unity and mutual respect. The technological and scientific developments of the time demonstrated how small the world really is. As King stated:Through our scientific genius we have made of the world a neighborhood, and now through our moral and ethical commitment we must make of it a brotherhood. We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools. It simply means that every nation must be concerned about every other nation. Every individual must be concerned about every other individual. This idea of interconnectedness was central to King’s philosophy. He articulated this in what he called an “inescapable network of mutuality” and a “single garment of destiny,” asserting that the well-being of one person or group is tied to the well-being of all:“Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly. As long as there is extreme poverty in this world, no man can be totally rich even if he has a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant and millions of people cannot expect to live more than 28 or 30 years, no one can be totally healthy, even if he just got a checkup in the finest clinic in the nation.King’s words compel us to reflect on our shared responsibilities and confront systemic issues such as poverty, inequality, and disease, not as distant problems but as urgent matters that touch all of humanity. Yet, for King this mutuality and interconnectedness goes beyond economic stability, racial equity, and physical well-being. It is ultimately about the purpose of human life:Strangely enough, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. And you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the way the world is made. This the interrelated structure of reality.”To learn more about Martin Luther King Jr. please check out the book display on the Library’s fourth floor. You can listen to the full version of King’s “American Dream” speech here....

Poverty Awareness Month 2025

Poverty remains a persistent challenge in the world, affecting not only the material well-being of individuals but also their access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for advancement. In fact, according to the World Bank the global reduction in poverty is at a standstill. Millions of people in the United States continue to live below the poverty line, with children and marginalized communities disproportionately affected. Globally, poverty’s impact is even more staggering, leaving billions without access to clean water, nutritious food, and safe shelter.Poverty is caused by a series of interconnected issues. These include economic conditions like income inequality, unemployment, inflation, and unstable markets. Additionally, events such as natural disasters, armed conflicts, and disease outbreaks create new economic vulnerabilities resulting in food insecurity and resource scarcity. Historical inequalities, such as racism or gender-based discrimination, further perpetuate poverty in marginalized communities. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted and exacerbated these issues, introducing unprecedented challenges for global economies and widening income inequality. Climate change too disproportionately affects the poorest and most vulnerable. Breaking the cycle of poverty requires a multifaceted approach that addresses both immediate needs and systemic barriers. Improving the climate can mitigate energy insecurity, protect vulnerable communities, and reduce hardships linked to poverty, such as inadequate housing along with water and food insecurity. Supporting affordable homeownership enhances health outcomes and provides financial stability. Advancing food security through assistance programs and building grocery stores in underserved areas can alleviate food deserts. Additionally, implementing supportive government policies, such as social safety nets and income support, can play a crucial role in alleviating poverty and promoting economic mobility. During this Poverty Awareness Month we are called to reflect, learn, and act. Whether through volunteering, donating to local shelters, or advocating for policies that address inequality, each action can make a difference. By fostering awareness and compassion, we can work toward sustainable solutions that uplift those in need and pave the way for a future where poverty no longer defines lives. For more information please check out the book display on the third floor of the Library. ...